Review: Bremont ALT1-B Chronograph

Movement
Modified calibre 13 ¼''' BE-54AE
Case
Stainless steel
Strap
Stainless steel or Leather
Dial
Black metal
Lens
Domed anti-reflective, scratch resistant sapphire crystal.
Water Resistance
< 100 metres
Lume
Super-LumiNova® C3
Dimensions
43mm
Crown
Two set steel crown with dual pushers
Warranty
3 years
Price
£4,600 - 5,100

The Bremont ALT1-B is slightly different from the other watches in the Bremont collection. It is presented with an all-black design stressed by brief periods of bright red. The watch is rugged and ‘meaner’ than its siblings, but what may be deemed overly unique in its presentation, it makes up for in premium sentiment. This is a protracted timepiece that while prudent in some way, has an acute appearance reinforced by a range of capabilities in the form of chronograph and GMT complications as well as an inner pilot’s bezel.

The ALT1-B was not just developed to include a new dynamic timepiece to the collection; instead, it was built on a timepiece specifically made for the pilots of the B2 Stealth Bombers (possibly the most dangerous thing to fly). With that in mind, the artistic beauty of the ALT1-B matches the watch.

Before we delve into it, though this is not a recent timepiece forBremont, yet is one of the most important at the moment. The Bremont’s Kingsman Special Edition produced three exclusive edition timepieces, all of which have the exact essential design as the ALT1-B, and all of which feature on the wrists of the actors through the whole film. There is a version in Rose Gold, a version in steel and the all-black model (for the trainees) that is almost the same with the ALT1-B, save a few dial details.

Dial

The Bremont ALT-1 is different in its dial design. The matte-black surface has a mixture of black, cool grey and red indicators that looms for a dark and unusually easy-to-read and straightforward dial, and the dial ks metal. The hour indication is designed in big black lumed numerals in a bold pattern. The large subdials stop the digits at twelve, six and nine o’clock, and the date cut-off three o’clock. It is very prudent, crawling into the background, looking more like texture than the main index. The dial of ALT1-B is a busy one, yet the numbers stand out exceptionally. Such a significant design preference.

Bremont ALT1-B (GMT) Chronograph Steel Black
Bremont ALT1-B (GMT) Chronograph Steel Black

There are sub-dials at twelve, six and nine o’clock that represent the 30-minute counter, the 12-hour counter and functional seconds precisely. Every sub-dial has a round surface which gives them a slick shimmer, and grey indicators. The grey is seen all over the dial; has a convincing tone. It is a cool grey that is luminous enough to opposite the black, yet dark enough to unite with the artistic beauty.

There is a 24-hour index around the hour index in the same grey, which is applied with the GMT hand. The section this is written on is fitted a little under the middle area, which visibly detaches the data. Around this is an angled inner bezel, which functions as both minute and chrono-seconds indexes. Also, there are grey lines and numbers, as well as tiny red squares every 5 minutes/seconds and a luminous red triangle at 0/60.

Bremont ALT1-B (GMT) Chronograph Leather (Case back)
Bremont ALT1-B (GMT) Chronograph Leather (Case back)

The red highlights on the hands, pointers and dial only help to provide extra prominence. The ALT1-B has 7-hands. Both the minute and hour are coloured in matte-black; flat swords with lume filling, giving it a neat and contemporary look. The matte-black GMT hands hold a red triangular tip that floats over the dial. The chrono-seconds is matte-black too but carries more weight than the GMT, more outstanding. There is a red tip and red-lined lumed ring at its end as well. Every sub-dial has tiny stick hands with red tips. But the active second’s hand is white-coloured while the others are matte-black, distinguishing the functions. The white hand sorts of yearns for attention among all the black and grey.

Case

Bremont ALT1-B uses the same case design often for the Bremont collection, with their particular Trip-Tick® structure, and robust 43 x 52 x 16mm size. The multi-part case construction is unusual to look at, a feature that makes Bremont unique. Artistically, it is very alluring, applying a different barrel that has smooth sides, and nicely sculpted lugs.

Bremont ALT1-B (GMT) Chronograph Steel Black (Close)
Bremont ALT1-B (GMT) Chronograph Steel Black (Close)

Everything on the ALT1-B is DLC black, using the edges for its private purpose. It is also durable and solid, with a steel bezel and case-back accustomed to 2,000 Vickers for high scratch resistance. The case-back is stainless steel with mixed crystal. It possesses five stainless steel screws with smooth heads.

The timepiece uses Bremont’s Roto-Click® inner bezel mechanism, operated by the crown at eight o’clock. This gives physical response when winding the inner bezel, alerting you when it is attached. The water resistance capacity measures up to 10 ATM (100 metres).

The ALT1-B uses what Bremont calls a modified calibre BE-54AE; which in fact might just be a reinvented ETA/Valjoux 7754 calibre. It is an automatic GMT chronograph with 25-jewels, hand-winding, hacking, date, a 42-hour power reserve and a frequency of 28,800 BPH. This Bremont watch is chronometer-certified by the COSC. If you look via the case, you can see that it is elegantly designed with perlage, blued screws and an in-house Bremont rotor. The rotor is all-black with a red script. Looks very cool.

Bremont ALT1-B (GMT) Chronograph Leather Black
Bremont ALT1-B (GMT) Chronograph Leather Black
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Wearability

This watch looks aggressive, yet very alluring on the wrist. It has an all-black coating that makes it fit the wrist despite its large form. The Trip-Tick case has fine edges that are designed by the DLC, reminiscent of the earlier B2’s. The matte-black dial shows its texture and nuance from distance or up-close. Usually, many all-black watches are most time very hard to read at-a-glance, but the ALT1-B is legible. The trace of red and the faint but noticeable grey make the information shown.

Bremont ALT1-B (GMT) Chronograph Steel Black (Side)
Bremont ALT1-B (GMT) Chronograph Steel Black (Side)

It offers a black leather strap with DLC pin buckle. The strap sizes are various. Be aware that the strap lengths are built on wrist sizes; they are approximate, though may differ slightly: Short size (13-16.5cm), regular size (15-19cm), long size (17-21cm) and the extra-long size (19-24cm).

Price

The Bremont ALT1-B Chronograph only comes in one model, therefore it is certainly for those immediately drawn to its unique style and ‘military’ ruggedness. The price point for this timepiece is around £4,600 ( €4,975 or $5,750) which we believe is certainly reasonable for a timepiece from premium watchmakers such as Bremont.

Bremont ALT1-B (GMT) Chronograph Case Back
Review: Bremont ALT1-B Chronograph
Final Thoughts
Bringing back the classic style of the 1950s and '60s, this Breitling Transocean automatic chronograph is designed for precision and sophistication. Its clean and elegant design makes it easy to read at a glance. A good size with a rugged case means this take on a classic piece should certainly be in your dressing room.
Dial
Case
Wearability
Price
Positives
Not overtly vintage
Good readability with chronograph
Strong and reliable
Lume availability
Negatives
Large size
Might be complicated for some
4.2
Editor's Score
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